Feed pad with rubber matting hailed as game changer
For Otago farmers Michelle and Rogan Borrie, a newly constructed feed pad on one of their three farms has been a game changer.
The newly developed Stitch roller for its DZ5 series – recently introduced as the Synergy compact – uses a double-disc principle combined with this stitch roller seeding technique.
The “stitching” process is sowing grass seed into the soil, by thin sharp tines to make many small incisions (cuts) and better trapping the seed. Typical results show a 68% germination rate, which is significantly higher than the “dimple seeders” so far available on the market.
With the Stitch Compact, Vredo has developed a seeder that incorporates two pendulum-suspended Stitch rollers to make 1600 incisions per m2. The seed is broadly deposited in the interrupted cuts and guided into the soil. An even sowing pattern is formed, due to the 17mm narrow row spacing.
The machine is intended for seeding when there is a short recovery period – maybe between sports events or in loose (rolled) soil when first seeding.
As standard, the Stitch Compact is equipped with a smooth roller to further seal the cuts and ensures that the seed is well bedded in.
The machine has a large seed hopper, maintenance-free variator with seamless dosage adjustment and accurate seed dosage for high efficiency. It also incorporates a standard weight carrier for applying more weight.
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